Not many actors have the abilities to enthral audiences like Jon Bernthal. Since the 1990’s, Bernthal has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s corrupt police-officers, Wall Street stockbrokers or race car drivers, Bernthal has portrayed several strong characters. Given the number of movies he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. Ford v. Ferrari
Ford is a legendary race car company my brother always adored. I remember my brother once was a huge fan of a car designer which manufactured great automobiles facing danger. He grew up to embrace a company manufacturing powerful cars with abilities to race. Fascinated with Formula 1, he would always love to discuss a car racing company that gained his admiration. My brother often believed movies were an art that couldn’t honour a company holding a precious place in his heart. In 2019, Jon Bernthal honoured the legendary racing car company in his movie “Ford v. Ferrari”. In the greatest role of his career, Bernthal portrayed a real-life automobile executive that sought to prepare cars to participate in competitions causing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Bernthal has spent most of his career playing fictional characters in crime movies. With “Ford v. Ferrari”, however, the actor took a huge step out of his comfort zone by playing an automobile executive that’s well-known. Working alongside Matt Damon who is also amazing, Bernthal honoured a car racing company that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Lee delivers a proposal seeking to prepare executives at Ford for a big race causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Ford v. Ferrari” Jon Bernthal’s best movie is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of race car driving to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about the importance of teamwork which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 60 years after Ford designed strong cars that would engage in the legendary Le Mans race, it’s a riveting reminder of a great actor that has made memorable movies throughout his career which audiences embrace.
2. The Wolf of Wall Street
Wall Street stockbrokers that engage in criminal behaviour always fascinated my father. At an early age, I formed bonds with a father that appreciated lives of stockbrokers causing damage. A banker by profession, my father always took keen interest in stockbrokers orchestrating an organization. As someone treasuring memories of a father that adored Wall Street, I appreciated “The Wolf of Wall Street”. Released in 2013, Jon Bernthal’s movie captured the life of a stockbroker that committed crimes on Wall Street. In the most comical role of his career, Bernthal portrayed a stockbroker that engaged in a life of crime on Wall Street causing despair. It gave the actor a rare chance to showcase comedic timing he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Leonardo DiCaprio who is also amazing, Bernthal created a portrait of stockbrokers that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Brad first meets Jordan becoming aware of the stockbroker’s intelligence is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Wolf of Wall Street” a masterpiece is its appeal. Unlike most movies about Wall Street, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. 30 years after Jordan Belfort changed Wall Street, it’s a phenomenal reminder of an actor hard to beat manufacturing movies which audiences consider a treat.
3. King Richard
Serena Williams is a spectacular tennis player that always inspired my grandpa. I remember my grandfather was once a huge fan of an iconic tennis player he would treasure. He would always love seeking the courageous tennis player engaging in games he would consider precious. In 2021, Jon Bernthal honoured the iconic tennis player in his movie “King Richard”. In the most supportive role of his career, Bernthal portrayed a real-life tennis training coach that sought to prepare Williams for games causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase talent for playing tennis that he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Will Smith who is also amazing, Bernthal honoured a tennis player that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Rick becomes aware of Serena Williams’ gift for playing tennis is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “King Richard” a classic is its appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of tennis to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about fatherhood which would resonate with everyone. A spectacular tribute towards a tennis player, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor making great movies which audiences treasure.
4. Baby Driver
Driving is an activity that I’ve never found appealing. At an early age, I became afraid of race cars causing damage. I would often feel a strong sense of terror whenever I had to get behind a car’s wheel. As someone that has often feared becoming a driver, I adored “Baby Driver”. Released in 2017, Jon Bernthal’s crime thriller capturing the lives of getaway drivers facing disaster. In the most mischievous role of his career, Bernthal portrayed a criminal that becomes involved in the life of a driver causing despair. It’s a movie that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for stealing the show in a supporting role with limited screen-time. Working alongside Jamie Foxx who is also amazing, Bernthal created a movie about drivers that’s engaging. For instance, the scene in which Griff seeks to prepare for a tense bank robbery causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Baby Driver” a classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most driving movies, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. As precious as cars that Baby loves to drive, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor with the abilities to thrive in any role that has produced movies throughout his impressive career which make audiences feel alive.
5. The Accountant 2
Autism is a deadly disorder that shaped my identity. At an early age, I was diagnosed with Autism causing damage. I developed a habit of following a strict routine with consequences that were seen. As someone that witnessed hardships Autistic people go through, I adored “The Accountant 2”. Released in 2025, Jon Bernthal’s movie captured the life of an Autistic accountant facing tragedy. In the most compassionate role of his career, Bernthal portrayed an assassin seeking to take care of an Autistic brother causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a rare chance to showcase emotional range he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Ben Affleck who is also outstanding, Bernthal created a crime thriller that’s engaging. For instance, the scene in which Braxton becomes aware that Christian’s life is in danger causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Accountant 2” a great movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about Autism, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. As strong as Christian’s desire to become a successful accountant, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a strong actor with commitment that has manufactured unforgettable entertainment.
6. Wind River
Indigenous communities are rarely depicted with respect in movies. Hollywood has long held a history of ignoring the stories of Indigenous tribes. In an industry that has ignored communities facing disaster, it’s worth praising “Wind River”. Released in 2017, Jon Bernthal’s movie offered an authentic depiction of Indigenous communities. In the most tragic role of his career, Bernthal portrayed a reckless man that has a doomed affair with an Indigenous woman causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing emotional heroes under pressure. Working alongside Jeremy Renner who is also amazing, Bernthal created a portrait of Aboriginal people that’s bold. A powerful portrayal of Indigenous communities that crumble, it’s a bold reminder of an actor making movies audiences consider special.
7. Sicario
Drug trafficking is a sensitive subject rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has often avoided telling stories of drug cartels that are misunderstood. In an industry that often ignored drug trafficking causing sorrow, it’s worth praising “Sicario”. Released in 2015, Jon Bernthal’s movie depicted drug cartels facing catastrophe. In the most authoritative role of his career, Bernthal portrayed a commanding army officer investigating drugs in a state facing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing leaders in positions of power. Working alongside Emily Blunt who is also outstanding, Bernthal created a compelling portrait of drug trafficking. As strong as Kate’s desire to stop drug trafficking, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that thrives playing heroes in movies that are worth celebrating.
8. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Terminal illness is a sensitive subject that’s rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has often struggled to tell compelling stories about terminally ill patients facing tragedies. In an industry avoiding an issue causing lives to unfurl, it’s worth praising “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl”. Released in 2015, Jon Bernthal’s movie captured terminally ill teens facing tragedy. In the most thoughtful role of his career, Bernthal portrayed a high school teacher seeking to care for a terminally ill teenager facing despair. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing leaders in positions of power. Working alongside Thomas Mann who is also amazing, Bernthal created a portrait of illness that’s engaging. A powerful portrait of terminal illness, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has become an icon in the business.
9. Fury
Over the past decade, the war movie genre has faced a decline in quality. With their loud action sequences, lacklustre storytelling and poor acting, most war movies have become a chore to sit through. In a genre that has lost its fury, it’s worth praising “Fury”. Released in 2014, John Bernthal’s movie offered a revival of the war genre. In the most conflicted role of his career, Bernthal portrayed an army commander engaging in warfare causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing emotional heroes under intense pressure. Working alongside Brad Pitt who is also amazing, Bernthal created a war movie that’s captivating. A powerful portrait of warfare, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has built a successful career making memorable movies about which audiences care.
10. The Unforgivable
Jon Bernthal hasn’t always made great movies that enthral. While most movies the actor has made are appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “The Unforgivable” falls into the latter category. Released in 2021, Nora Fingscheidt’s blockbuster was a disaster. In the most shallow role of his career, the actor portrayed a criminal engaging in unforgivable crimes causing despair. Bernthal brought his usual charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “The Unforgivable” is a disastrous movie, it honoured Bernthal’s legacy. As strong as Ruth’s desire to be forgiven, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actor with strong dedication towards his craft that has manufactured unforgettable movies which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong filmmaking passion.
The Film Buff 